2026 Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Schools in the Far Western Region
[General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/drafting-and-design-technology-technician-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 73 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools.
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2026 Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general drafting & design technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Schools
Leading the list is Cerritos College, our #1 best value for general drafting & design technology/technician in the Far Western Region. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general drafting & design technology/technician will find it at Norco College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Pasadena City College one of the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general drafting & design technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $11,196. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Golden West College came in at #6 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College came in at #7 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Victor Valley College came in at #8 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $7,995. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College landed the #9 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $12,733. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College placed #11 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Palomar College landed the #12 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Miracosta College landed the #13 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,845.
Olympic College landed the #14 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,472, with out-of-state students paying around $9,740. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $11,497. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Olympic College earn a median of $57,593 early in their careers. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College earned the #15 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Lane Community College came in at #16 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Eugene, Lane Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,202 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,078. Students borrow a median of $18,373 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Lane Community College generally make around $60,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chemeketa Community College placed #17 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,345, while out-of-state students pay about $14,040. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,755 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Chemeketa Community College generally make around $45,440. Set against $15,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #18 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $65,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Puget Sound Community College placed #19 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Set in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $5,818. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,245 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of South Puget Sound Community College earn a median of $39,430 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Los Angeles College landed the #20 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $33,595. That is a strong return on a $8,180 median debt.
Portland Community College earned the #21 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,440. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $20,648 in student loans. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $54,198. Set against $20,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Everett Community College placed #22 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Everett Community College is a large public school located in the city of Everett. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,032, with out-of-state students paying around $11,171. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $13,542. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $47,441. Set against $13,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rio Hondo College placed #23 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Rio Hondo College is a very large public school located in the rural area of Whittier. In-state tuition and fees average $1,388, with out-of-state students paying around $9,884. Students borrow a median of $15,510 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $95,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cabrillo College landed the #24 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,270, with out-of-state students paying around $9,862. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Cabrillo College generally make around $47,750. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Academy Of Art University earned the #25 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,736 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $45,000 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Academy Of Art University earn a median of $46,811 early in their careers. Set against $45,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
